The continuing presence of a range of pollutants in a number of Europe's freshwaters threatens aquatic ecosystems and raises concerns for public health. Current reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive shows that a substantial proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the aim of 'good status' by 2015. Driven by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater in some regions of Europe have led to a reduction in the discharge of some pollutants to fresh and coastal waters. Challenges remain, however, because UWWTD implementation remains incomplete and other significant sources of water pollution exist, especially agriculture and urban storm flows. The implementation of effective and timely measures, required under the WFD, needs to encompass a greater focus on controls 'at source' and the efficient use of resources including water, energy and chemicals.

The continuing presence of a range of pollutants in a number of Europe's freshwaters threatens aquatic ecosystems and raises concerns for public health. Current reporting under the EU Water Framework Directive shows that a substantial proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the aim of 'good status' by 2015. Driven by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), improvements in the collection and treatment of wastewater in some regions of Europe have led to a reduction in the discharge of some pollutants to fresh and coastal waters. Challenges remain, however, because UWWTD implementation remains incomplete and other significant sources of water pollution exist, especially agriculture and urban storm flows. The implementation of effective and timely measures, required under the WFD, needs to encompass a greater focus on controls 'at source' and the efficient use of resources including water, energy and chemicals.

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Summary

Main pollutant sources: agriculture and the urban environment

Despite
improvements in some regions, pollution from agriculture remains a
major pressure on Europe's freshwater. Nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorus) from fertilisers, pesticides, organic material, sediment and
pathogenic micro-organisms are washed to waterways, primarily via
diffuse pathways. Cost-effective measures exist to tackle agricultural
pollution and need to be implemented through the WFD, while full
compliance with the Nitrates Directive is also required. The forthcoming
reform of the Common Agricultural Policy provides an opportunity to
further strengthen water protection.

The
urban environment generates a range of pollutants including industrial
and household chemicals, metals, pharmaceutical products, nutrients,
pesticides and pathogenic micro-organisms. The UWWTD has led to more of
the EU's population being connected to a municipal treatment works via a
sewer network and to a reduction in the wastewater discharge of some
pollutants to receiving waters. However, there is considerable scope for
increased control of pollutants at source which reduces the burden on
the treatment process including the consumption of energy. Full-cost
pricing for wastewater services will help drive controls at source.
Storm overflows in the urban environment also remain a significant
concern.

Water quality

Excessive
concentrations of phosphorus are the most common cause of freshwater
'eutrophication' — characterised by a proliferation in the growth of
problematic algal blooms and an undesirable disturbance to aquatic life.
Phosphorus levels in freshwater have declined in recent years due
primarily to improved wastewater treatment and bans on phosphates in
detergents. However, this trend has slowed suggesting that a greater
targeting of diffuse sources of phosphorus is required for further
improvements to occur.

While
some declining trends in nitrate concentrations are apparent, current
levels of nitrate in a number of Europe's rivers are often of a
magnitude sufficient to promote eutrophication in receiving coastal
waters. Many countries also report groundwater bodies with nitrate
concentrations above threshold levels. Clear downward trends in organic
pollution are evident in most of Europe's rivers, mainly due to measures
implemented under the UWWTD, although these trends have levelled in
recent years. The quality of EU inland bathing waters has improved
significantly since 1990 — in 2009, 89 % of inland bathing areas
complied with mandatory values. Information describing pesticide levels
in freshwater remains incomplete across Europe.

Impacts

Pollutants
in some of Europe's freshwaters have led to detrimental effects on
aquatic ecosystems and the loss of freshwater flora and fauna. Aside
from eutrophication, which remains widespread, chemicals with
endocrine‑disrupting properties have been shown to trigger feminising
effects in male fish, raising implications for their fertility.
Pesticides and metals can be toxic to aquatic life, while concern is
growing about the effects of chemical mixtures found in Europe's more
polluted waters. Much of the pollutant load in freshwaters is ultimately
discharged to coastal waters with the potential to adversely impact the
quality of the marine environment. Poor water quality is also a
potential threat to public health through various exposure routes.

Outlook and response

The
implementation of a comprehensive range of water‑related legislation,
led by the WFD, will continue across Europe in the coming years.
Currently, reporting under the WFD indicates that a substantial
proportion of Europe's freshwaters are at risk of not achieving good
status. Strong, cost-effective and timely measures therefore need to be
implemented, addressing all pollutant sources. They must also ensure
that resources, including water, energy and chemicals, are used in an
efficient manner. The extent and effectiveness of measures to be
implemented also need to account for driving forces that could affect
water quality over the coming decades, including climate change,
increasing global food demand and an expansion of the cultivation of
bioenergy crops.